CN1312903C - Information processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention enables people to easily identify a printout image even in the case where the printout image is printed with a tint block image added thereon. More specifically, a physical page that is a printable area of printing paper is divided into areas, an intended document/image is printed in each of these divided areas (logical pages), and a tint block image is printed only in an area that is in this physical page but does not belong to any of the logical pages. Using a fact that a margin is produced in the so-called N-up printing, the tint block image is printed in this margin. Thereby, the tint block image can be printed in a location that will not interfere with whatever printout image to be printed.

Description

Information processor and information processing method

Technical field

The present invention relates to information processor and information processing method, specifically, relate in the system of the printing equipment of information processor with personal computer etc. and printer etc., print the processing when the image of the shading image that has comprised the use that suppresses to duplicate thing etc.

Background technology

In the past, for the enforcement forbidding or suppress duplicating of bill, resident card etc., use being called counterfeit prevention paper special printing use paper.This counterfeit prevention paper be can not be observed by the mankind on the original paper but when using photocopier etc. to duplicate can the paper come-up that runs off reveal " COPY " character etc. use paper.Thus, can visually identify as the printout of original paper easily and duplicate the copy of original paper.Owing to utilize this counterfeit prevention paper, make the people that duplicates have certain scruples to the use of this copy etc.In addition, has the so psychological restraining function of the duplicating behavior of inhibition itself.Making that character string is difficult to be observed by the mankind on the original paper of counterfeit prevention paper, is in order clearly to distinguish original paper and copy.Make people clearly to identify if in original paper, can see the character string of " COPY " etc., so just may be identified as copy, just lost meaning as counterfeit prevention paper.

The technology of the making of this counterfeit prevention paper is disclosed among Wicker (USP5788285), the Mowry et al. (USP6000728).

But,, therefore exist and the common problem of comparing cost up with paper because the special printing technique of this counterfeit prevention paper utilization makes.In addition, the character of setting in the time of counterfeit prevention paper being made etc. appears in one's mind out.Therefore, the character string of the purposes of counterfeit prevention paper and setting is restricted.That is, existing counterfeit prevention paper is because during it makes, aspect purposes and have a part that lacks flexibility.

On the other hand, the numerical dataization of various contents develops, and the content of bill, resident's card etc. is too by numerical dataization.But, as the utilization of these bills, resident card etc., also be in the transitional period about the digitlization of its processing.As a result, be to use printer etc. will utilize the content of the numerical data that computer generates to print on the paper uses more.

In this case, also because the leaping property raising of printer capability in recent years, using a computer according to demand receives much concern with the technology with paper that printer prints has an effect identical with existing counterfeit prevention paper.A kind of technology is disclosed in TOHKEMY 2001-197297 communique and the Te Kai 2001-238075 communique, when using printer prints output to use a computer the content-data that generates, the overlapping image that is called shading is exported in the background of content-data.Shading image is to make human eyes can only see pattern or background colour etc. but when duplicating original paper in original paper (the printing thing of printer output), reveals the image of predetermined character etc. in the copy come-up.Therefore, can produce and the same restraining function of counterfeit prevention paper duplicating person.

When overlapping output uses a computer the shading image that generates, can use the paper of common printing usefulness etc. certainly.Therefore, comparing with counterfeit prevention paper, is favourable aspect cost.And, can when the printout content, generate shading image.Thus, the character that displays in the time of freely setting duplicating etc.In other words, has the advantage that the multidate information that can make user name that implement to print, output time etc. appears in one's mind out as character string.

As mentioned above, the effect that shading image is realized is: when having carried out duplicating, the book character that can not identify before duplicating etc. is displayed on copy, suppress to use behaviors such as this copy, visually identifying easily is copy, in other words, and NO.For realizing this effect, shading image is made of 2 zones basically, zone is the zone of residual in copy (manifesting) image when duplicating, and another zone is picture drop-out or compare with above-mentioned residual zone because thin out and zone that be difficult to identify in the copy.These 2 zones are same concentrations substantially under the state after the printing, on the macroscopic view, at first sight can not tell hiding (embedding) " COPY " etc. pass through character that duplicating displays etc.But, for example on the level of the ink dot of printing, as follows on the microcosmic, have different characteristics separately.

To abbreviate sub-image as by the image that duplicating manifests later on, will abbreviate background as by duplicating disappearance or thin out image.And shading image is made of this sub-image image and background image basically.The situation that also comprises camouflage image described later is also arranged.Term as the user interface class is called prospect with sub-image sometimes.

But shading is printed and to be not limited to said structure, as long as constitute on copy the character string that manifests (developments) mankind discernible " COPY " etc., sign, pattern etc.That is, though in copy " COPY " such character string state representation to show money or valuables one carries unintentionally, also print to realize its purpose as shading.At this moment, obviously " COPY " such character string image generation as a setting.

In addition, under the situation of the dot printer of electricity photography, ink-jet etc., the zone of residual image in the copy (sub-image portion or foreground portion) is made of the set of blocks of the point of concentrating.The zone (background portion) that picture drop-out or compare with the image color in image residue zone is reproduced with light concentration in the copy is made of the set of the point that disperses.Also have, under the state of having printed shading image, each regional concentration constitutes much at one, so the concentration of shading image integral body is roughly even.

Figure 24 is the figure in these 2 zones of expression.As shown in the drawing, constituted shading image by point by the sub-image portion of the some piece in the background portion of decentralized configuration and the config set.These 2 zones can be handled with different dithering process by different sites respectively and be generated.Using the site to handle under the situation that generates shading image, sub-image portion is fit to the site of low line number and handles, and background portion is fit to the site of high line number and handles.Using dithering process to generate under the situation of shading image, sub-image portion is fit to use the dithering process of some concentrated dither matrix, and background portion is fit to use the dithering process of some decentralized dither matrix.

Usually, the boundary point that has the reproduction of input resolution that depends on the small point that reads original copy and the output resolution ratio that reproduces small point in the photocopier.Form to such an extent that the boundary point of the point that reproduces with photocopier of specific energy is littler at the point of the background portion of shading image, the point piece of sub-image portion forms than under the big situation of boundary point, reproduce the image that the big some piece by shading image constitutes by duplicating on copy, the image that is made of little point does not reproduce on copy.The result displays sub-image.In addition, even do not have complete obiteration by the point that duplicate to disperse, comparing with the some piece of concentrating, under the low situation of the concentration after the duplicating, sub-image can identify relatively significantly.

Figure 25 A and 25B are the figure that manifests of expression sub-image.Figure 25 A has been equivalent to print the state of shading image.Figure 25 B is equivalent to duplicate the copy that obtains under the situation of Figure 25 A with photocopier.By Figure 25 A and 25B, be appreciated that the sub-image that the set by the piece of the point of concentrating constitutes is displayed, the background that is made of the point that disperses disappears.

Be suitable for to make that in shading image the technology that more is difficult to be identified in so-called " camouflage " of embedding sub-image image in the original paper is well-known.Camouflage is with pattern overlay configuration the technology on shading image different with background portion concentration with sub-image portion.Being suitable for the effect that the shading image of camouflage has is, camouflage images different with background portion concentration with sub-image portion in original paper is eye-catching, and sub-image is so not eye-catching.The camouflage image also has provides the effect of decorating impression to printout.

Figure 26 A represents not apply the shading image of camouflage image.Figure 26 B has represented to apply the shading image of camouflage image.This pretends image, wishes that the point that constitutes the camouflage image no longer reveals to come in copy, so that the sub-image that the duplicating back displays in copy is discerned easily.This can be by for example shown in Figure 26 B, will pretend image and make the image that shows money or valuables one carries unintentionally and realize.

But, under the situation of the printing that shading more than having implemented is printed, the concentration of shading image and want print What, i.e. the concentration of the image of printout (the following print object that cries) identical or near the time, according to the printing of shading image, the situation that is difficult to discern print object is arranged.

As mentioned above, the basic structure of the printing of shading image at Figure 17, as described later, is printed shading image with the form of watermark printing or overstriking in 18,19 on the whole printable area of print paper (below be Physical Page).One of its reason, it is the identical consideration mode of counterfeit prevention paper that has followed with the character of above-mentioned duplicating of print inhibit in advance etc., no matter the image of being printed with what kind of position relation is printed with respect to print paper, under the situation of duplicating, the picture that the development of sub-image is come out does not all have on the position with the duplicating picture of print image and coherently displays.Consequently, the printout image is whole and shading image overstriking with it, in this case, when the printout image integrally or partly has identical or close concentration with shading image, the situation that is difficult to discern the printout image is arranged.In detail, can consider to have following situation, the concentration value of the shading image of printout image and the part adjacent with this image near the time, be difficult to differentiate the profile of printout image, perhaps, when the concentration value of the printout image and the shading image of the part that overlaps the printout image is close, be difficult to differentiate the content of printout image self.

Figure 27 A and 27B are the figure of an example of the interference of above-mentioned printout image of explanation and the concentration in the shading image.Figure 27 A represents not implement that shading is handled and the printout example of the situation having carried out printing.Handle owing to do not implement shading, background 512 is background colors of print paper, can easily identify object according to the concentration difference of the ellipse 511 of the central authorities of the print object relative with it.Relative therewith, Figure 27 B has represented to implement the printout example of the situation of shading processing, and the concentration of the ellipse 511 of central authorities and the concentration of shading image 513 are approaching, are difficult to identify oval 511.

Summary of the invention

The objective of the invention is to, a kind of information processor and information processing method are provided,, also can easily identify the printout image even under the situation of the printing of carrying out shading image.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a kind of information processor is provided, have first image that generates printout and the print data generation unit that comprises second image of sub-image image and background image, wherein, above-mentioned print data generation unit changes the concentration value of above-mentioned first image according to the Cmax value of above-mentioned second image, make it be in the concentration range that is higher than the least concentration value, above-mentioned least concentration value is the concentration value that exceeds predetermined value than above-mentioned Cmax value, and generates print data.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a kind of information processing method is provided, print data with first image that generates printout and second image that comprises sub-image image and background image generates step, wherein, above-mentioned print data generates step changes above-mentioned first image according to the Cmax value of above-mentioned second image concentration value, make it be in the concentration range that is higher than the least concentration value, above-mentioned least concentration value is the concentration value that exceeds predetermined value than above-mentioned Cmax value, and generates print data.

By above structure, in the printable area of the print media that dwindles printing, N-up printing etc., containing printing in control wants under the situation of printing of the first area of printout image and second area in addition, owing to make the print form of the shading image of above-mentioned first area and above-mentioned second area different, so, in above-mentioned first area, can print and want the incoherent shading image of printout image.For example, in above-mentioned first area, can be the form of not printing shading image that makes, also can be to make to print shading image, but according to wanting the printout image to generate with the incoherent shading image of this image the form different with the shading image of second area.

In addition, in other forms, owing to according to the Cmax of the shading image that will print, in the higher concentration range of the concentration that only exceeds predetermined value than this Cmax, print and answer the printout image, therefore want the image of printout can make a distinction with shading image according to concentration difference.In addition, even, also can clearly differentiate its content in the part of shading image overstriking.

Consequently, even under the situation of the printing of carrying out shading image, also can easily discern the printout image.

From below in conjunction with the specific descriptions of accompanying drawing to embodiment, above-mentioned purpose of the present invention and other purposes, effect, feature and advantage will be become obvious.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of the structure of the relevant print system of expression embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 2 is the figure of a structure that expression is used for the print processing of master computer shown in Figure 1 3000;

Fig. 3 is another example of structure that is used for the print processing ofmaster computer 3000, is the block diagram that structure shown in Figure 2 has been expanded in expression;

Fig. 4 is that the page or leaf unit preserves the flow chart of the processing of step in the generation in the expression spooler 302, spool file 303;

Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B are the flow charts of spool file 303 generative processes and the control details between the later print data generative process that illustrates of expression spool file manager 304;

Fig. 6 is the extract flow chart of details of generative process of print data of program 305 of expression spool;

Fig. 7 is the figure of expression print setting input dialogue frame example;

Fig. 8 is the figure of expression for an example of the setting picture of the output destination of print job;

Fig. 9 is expression from the extract figure of an example of the data mode that transmits when program 305 requires Physical Page to print of 304 pairs of spools of spool file manager;

Figure 10 is the figure of an example of the operation set information shown in thefield 1002 of presentation graphs 9;

Figure 11 is expression from the extract figure of an example of the data mode that transmits when program 305 requires Physical Page to print of 304 pairs of spools of spool file manager;

Figure 12 is the figure of an example of 1202 the Physical Page set information of expression Figure 11;

Figure 13 is expression from the extract figure of an example of the data mode that transmits when program 305 requires Physical Page to print of 304 pairs of spools of spool file manager;

Figure 14 is the figure of an example of data mode of the attachingprint information 1304 of expression Figure 12;

Figure 15 is the figure of an example of the setting picture of expression shading printing function;

Figure 16 A and Figure 16 B are the figure of an example of each dialog box of setting in detail of printing of expression editor's shading;

Figure 17 is the flow chart of an example of describing to handle of expression burelage;

Figure 18 is the flow chart of another example of describing to handle of expression burelage;

Figure 19 is the flow chart of describing to handle of expression burelage;

Figure 20 is the figure that the shading image of the explanation first embodiment of the present invention is printed;

Figure 21 is the flow chart of expression about the processing of shading printing shown in Figure 20;

Figure 22 is the flow chart of the processing of the second embodiment of the present invention under the situation of appointment " overstriking " of the expression second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 23 A and Figure 23 B are the figure of an example of the concentration correction of the explanation third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 24 is that expression is as the sub-image portion in 2 zones of shading image and the figure of background portion;

Figure 25 A and Figure 25 B are the figure of the development of explanation shading image;

Figure 26 A and Figure 26 B are the figure of the camouflage of expression shading image;

Figure 27 A and Figure 27 B are the figure of the concentration of the explanation shading image example of interfering.

Embodiment

Describe embodiments of the invention in detail below with reference to accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1～19th illustrates to comprise in the system that constitutes as the master computer of the information processor of one embodiment of the present of invention with as the printer of printing equipment, about the figure of the structure of the generation of describing data substantially of print processing and the shading image that accompanies with it.

In the present embodiment, during duplicating, the part that manifests in copy is called sub-image portion or foreground portion.During duplicating, disappearing or compare thin out part with sub-image portion in copy is called background portion.And, the text message of input " COPY ", " VOID " etc. in sub-image portion.But shading image of the present invention is not limited thereto, and also can be in the copy, and text message is the character of image appearance (manifesting) for showing money or valuables one carries unintentionally relatively on every side.At this moment, the opposite relation of situation that shows money or valuables one carries unintentionally of the certain right and wrong of relation of concentrating and disperseing of the above-mentioned point of sub-image portion and background portion.The present invention can't help shading image kind, generate processing, color, shape, size and wait and stipulate.

The structure of print system

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of structure of the print system of expression embodiments of the invention.As long as can carry out function of the present invention, no matter be the equipment of monomer or the system that a plurality of equipment constitutes, or through LAN, the network of WAN etc. connects the system that handles, and can both be suitable for the present invention.

Among this figure,master computer 3000 comprises CPU1, its according to the program of ROM3 with the documentor of storage in ROM or theexternal memory storage 11 etc., control comprise the processing of described various embodiments of the present invention after Figure 20 mixing the file process that waits of figure, image, character, table (contain table calculate etc.) reach execution based on this print processing.This house steward CPU1 is connected in the control of each equipment of system bus 4.The program of ROM3 with 11 storages of ROM or external memory storage as the operating system program (the following OS that cries) of the control program of CPU1 etc.The character font data that uses when the font of ROM3 is stored above-mentioned file process with ROM orexternal memory storage 11 etc.The various data of using when the data of ROM3 are carried out above-mentioned file process etc. with 11 storages of ROM or external memory storage.RAM2 has the function of main storage as CPU1, service area etc.

Keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls are from the key input of keyboard 9, unshowned positioning equipment.CRT controller (CRTC) 6 is controlled the demonstration of the CRT monitor (CRT) 10 of the demonstration that comprises shading image.The visit of 7 indicating panel controllers (DKC), the hard disk (HD) of control store boot, various application program, character font data, user file, editing files, printer control command generator (the following printer driver that cries) etc. and floppy disk (floppy registered trade mark) external memory storage 11 (FD) etc.Printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected toprinter 1500 through bidirectional interface (interface) 21, carries out with the Control on Communication ofprinter 1500 and handles.

In addition, CPU1 carries out expansion (gridding) processing of for example RAM2 being gone up the cutline font of the display message RAM that sets.And, make that the WYSIWYG on the CRT10 becomes possibility.CPU1 opens listed all windows according to the order of the indications such as unshowned cursor of mouse on the CRT10 and carries out various data processing.When the user prints, open window about print setting, can comprise the setting to the print processing method of printer driver of selection of setting, the printing model of printer.

Printer 1500 is by the CPU12 control that is provided with on the printer 1500.Printer cpu 12 according to the program of ROM13 with the control program of storage in control program of storing among the ROM etc. or theexternal memory storage 14 etc., to the picture signal of printing portion (Printer Engine) 17 outputs that are connectedsystem bus 15 as printout information.The control program of the program ROM storage CPU12 of this ROM13 etc.The character font data that uses when the font of ROM13 generates above-mentioned printout information with ROM storage etc.The information that the data of ROM13 are used on storage master computer under the situation of the printer of theexternal memory storage 14 that does not have hard disk etc. with ROM etc.

CPU12 can communicate processing viainput part 18 and master computer, can be with the information untill furthernotice master computer 3000 in the printer.RAM19 is as the RAM of the main storage of CPU12, service area etc., constitutes and can enlarge memory span by connecting the unshowned selection RAM that sets up port.RAM19 is used for output information spreading area, environmental data storage area, NVRAM etc.Theexternal memory storage 14 of above-mentioned hard disk (HD), IC-card etc. is by storage area controller (MC) 20 its visits of control.External memory storage 14 connects store font data, simulated program, list data etc. as optional (equipment).1501 configurations are used for shielding the switch of enterprising line operate and light-emitting diode display etc. at aforesaid operations.

Above-mentionedexternal memory storage 14 is not limited to 1, also can be equipped with a plurality ofly, makes it possible to connect selection storage card outside the built-in font and a plurality of external memory storages of the program of having stored the printer control language of explaining that the family of languages is different.And, also can be to have unshowned NVRAM, storage is from the printer mode set information ofoperation screen 1501.

The portion of printing in thepresent embodiment 17 comprises the engine of electric photographic type.Therefore, the printing of image and follow its shading image utilizes the point of the toner that forms according to these print datas to print.The present invention aspect, the mode of printing is not limited to this electric photographic type certainly, for example all can use the present invention in the printing equipment of arbitrary mode that formation points such as ink-jetting style print.

Fig. 2 is the figure of a structure that expression is used for the print processing of master computer shown in Figure 1 3000.Application program 201, graphics engine 202, printer driver 203 and system's spooler 204 exist as the file of preserving in thememory 11 externally, are by OS or utilize the module of its module to be loaded into the program module of carrying out among the RAM2 under situation about carrying out.Application program 201 and printer driver 203 can be appended among the HD ofexternal memory storage 11 via the FD ofexternal memory storage 11 and unshowned CD-ROM or unshowned network.Externally the application program 201 of preserving in thememory 11 is loaded among the RAM2 and carries out., whenprinter 1500 prints, utilize equally in RAM2 and to load and executable graphics engine 202 is exported (describing) from this application program 201.

Graphics engine 202 will be loaded into the RAM2 fromexternal memory storage 11 printer driver 203 that each printing equipment of printer etc. is prepared equally, and the output of application program 201 is set to printer driver 203.Then, be GDI (GDI) functional transformation that receives from application program 201 DDI (device driver interface) function, to printer driver 203 output DDI functions.

Printer driver 203 is the discernible control command of printer according to the DDI functional transformation that receives from graphics engine 202, for example PDL (PostScript).Printer control command after the conversion, its structure is by OS, is loaded in the system's spooler 204 among the RAM2, viainterface 21, outputs in theprinter 1500 as print data.

The print system of present embodiment has shading handling part 205 in printer driver 203.Shading handling part 205 can be the interior dress module of printer driver 203, also can be the form of the library module that appends by other installation.About the printing of shading image, printer driver 203 is by carrying out the processing that this shading handling part 205 carries out the order generation etc. of shading image described later.

Shading layer determination section 308 (with reference to figure 3) is arranged on the module of shading handling part 205, carries out the automatic decision of page order of the shading image of second embodiment and handles.

The software module relevant with printing

Fig. 3 relates to another example of structure of the print processing ofmaster computer 3000, is the structured flowchart that expression has enlarged structure shown in Figure 2.This structure is from graphics engine 202 temporary transient structure that generates the spool file 303 that is made of intermediate code when printer driver 203 sends print command.In the structure of Fig. 2, application program 201 is open from print processing, be to be transformed to from the Print All order of graphics engine 202 moment of the control command of printer at printer driver 203, different therewith, in the structure of Fig. 3, be that spooler 302 is transformed to the intermediate code data with the Print All order, output to the moment of spool file 303.Usually, the latter can finish in the short time.In the structure shown in Figure 3, can process the content of spool file 303.Thus, for print data, can realize amplifying and dwindle, multipage is reduced into the function that 1 page of application program of printing etc. does not have from application program.

For these purposes,, as shown in Figure 3, carry out system expansion and make and carry out spool with the intermediate code data for the structure of Fig. 2.In addition, for printing the processing of data, the window that provides from printer driver 203 is set usually, and printer driver 203 is set the content keeping on the RAM2 or on theexternal memory storage 11.

Describe structure shown in Fig. 3 below in detail.As shown in the figure, in the processing mode of this expansion, receive by scheduler program 301 as DDI function from the print command of graphics engine 202.Be based on from application program 201 under the situation of the print command (GDI function) that graphics engine 202 sends from the print command (DDI function) that graphics engine 202 receives at scheduler program 301, scheduler program 301 is loaded into the spooler 302 of storage in theexternal memory storage 11 among the RAM2, to spooler 302 transmission print commands (DDI function) rather than to printer driver 203.

Spooler 302 is analyzed the print command that receives, and is intermediate code by the page or leaf unit transformation, outputs to spool file 303.The spool file that is somebody's turn to do the intermediate code of storing by page or leaf unit is called page or leaf and describes file (PDF).Spooler 302 is obtained about the processing of print data that printer driver 203 is set from printer driver 203 and is set (Nup, two sides, cord, colour/monochrome appointment etc.), is saved in spool file 303 as the file of work unit.Enactment document by this work unit storage is called operation enactment document (also being called for short SDF).The back illustrates this operation enactment document.Spool file 303 externally generates on thememory 11 as file, but also can generate on RAM2.And spooler 302 is loaded into RAM2 with the spool file manager 304 ofexternal memory storage 11 storages, to the generating state of spool file manager 304 notice spool files 303.Afterwards, can the content set of spool file manager 304 processing about print data of preserving according to spool file 303 be judged and be printed.

When spool file manager 304 is judged to be can utilize graphics engine 202 to print the time, the spool of loadingexternal memory storage 11 storages to the RAM2 program 305 of extracting.And, 304 pairs of spools of spool file manager program 305 of extracting, indication is described file according to the page or leaf of the intermediate code of recording and narrating in the spool file 303 and is carried out control command and generate and handle.

Spool is extracted program 305 according to the operation enactment document that contains the processing set information that is comprised in spool file 303, process the page or leaf of the intermediate code that is comprised in the spool file 303 and describe file, regeneration GDI function is once again via graphics engine 202 output GDI functions.At this moment, the order of printing about shading image generates, and loads shading handling part 205 and handles.

The print command (DDI function) that receives from graphics engine 202 at scheduler program 301 is based on from spool extracts program 305 under the situation of the print command (GDI function) that graphics engine 202 sends, and scheduler program 301 sends print commands and not to spooler 302 to printer driver 203.Printer driver 203 generates the printer control command that is made of PostScript etc. according to the DDI function that receives from graphics engine 202, outputs in theprinter 1500 via system's spool file 204.

In addition, as shown in Figure 3, expression is also disposed previewer 306, is set change editing machine 307 except that above-mentioned expanding system, and preview, the print setting that can comprise the preview of shading image changes, the example of the combination of a plurality of operations.For printing the combination of preview, print setting change, a plurality of operations, at first, the user need specify " storage " in the drop-down menu 901 as the device that carries out " appointment of output destination " in the characteristic of printer driver shown in Figure 8.In addition, in the time only will seeing preview,, also can realize by selecting " preview " as the appointment of output destination.

Like this, the content of setting in the performance of printer driver is used as in the structure that enactment document is stored in to be provided by OS (in Windows (registered trade mark) OS, being called DEVMODE).In this structure, comprise the setting whether processing that for example comprised store spool file manager 304 in setting in spool file 303.Read in processing at spool file manager 304 through the printer driver and set, carried out under the situation of storage appointment, as mentioned above, in spool file 303, generate memory page and describe file and operation enactment document.The window picture of spool file manager is ejected in addition, the operation that tabulation has shown by spool in spool file 303.

When on the window picture of spool file manager, carrying out certain single operation or specifying in conjunction with the preview of operation, the previewer 306 of storage in theexternal memory storage 11 is loaded among the RAM2, and the preview processing of the operation of the intermediate code of record in the spool file 3303 is carried out in 306 indications to previewer.

Print with the preservation of intermediate data and handle

Fig. 4 is that the page or leaf unit in the generation of the spool file 303 of expression in the spooler 302 preserves the flow chart of the processing of step.

In the figure, at first, in step 501, spooler 302 receives the request of printing from application program through graphics engine 202.In application program, show the dialog box of input print setting as shown in Figure 7, the print setting of importing from this dialog box is delivered to spool file 303 by printer driver.In setting input dialogue frame shown in Figure 7, comprise symbol by the setting item of the number of the logical page (LPAGE) on 1 Physical Page, arranged of decisions of 801 expressions etc.

Instep 502, spooler 302 judges whether the printing request that receives is that operation begins requirement.Here, be operation when beginning requirement when being judged to be instep 502, enter step 503, spooler 302 generates the spool file 303 that is used for temporarily preserving intermediate data.

Then, instep 504, the progress of spooler 302 notice spool file managers 304 print processing.Then, in step 505, the page count of spooler 302 is initialized as 1.Here, in spool file manager 304, read in, store the job information of the operation that printing is begun and process setting etc. from spool file 303.

On the other hand, instep 502, judgement is not operation when beginning requirement, enters step 506.In this step 506, spooler 302 judges whether the requirement that receives is end of job requirement.When being judged to be when being not end of job requirement, enter step 507, judge whether skip.When in step 507, being judged to be when skipping, enterstep 508, the progress of notice spool file manager 304 print processing.Then, increase progressively page count, close the page or leaf of storage intermediate code and describe file, one page is described file under generating.In step 507, the printing request that is judged to be reception is not when skipping, and enters step 509, and spooler 302 is prepared intermediate codes and described writing out of file to page or leaf.

Then, instep 510 because to spool file 303 storage print requests, spooler 302 print request from the conversion process of DDI function to intermediate code.In step 511, spooler 302 will be transformed to storable form instep 510 printing request (intermediate code) is written to the page or leaf of spool file 303 and describes in thefile.Return step 510 afterwards, receive the request of printing from application program once more.Continue this a series of processing, up to receiving end of job requirement from application program from step 501 to step 511.Spooler 302 is obtained the information of processing setting of being stored in the DEVMODE structure etc. simultaneously from printer driver 203, store spool file 303 into as the operation enactment document.

On the other hand, in step 506, when spooler 302 the printing request from application program of being judged to be is the end of job, printing request from application program is all over, therefore enter step 512, the progress of notice spool file manager 304 print processing, end process.

The generation of spool file

Fig. 5 is the generative process of the spool file 303 in the expression spool file manager 304 and the flow chart of the control details between the print data generative process.

In step 601, spool file manager 304 receives from the extract progress notice of print processing of program 305 of spooler 302 or spool.Then, in step 602, spool file manager 304 judges whether the progress notice is that the printing of notifying from spooler 302 begins notice in above-mentioned steps 504.Begin notice if print, enter step 603, the processing of reading in printing from spool file 303 is set, the beginning job management.

On the other hand, in step 602,, enter step 604 if be not that printing from spooler 302 begins notice.In step 604, spool file manager 304 judges that whether the progress notice is the printing end notification from a logical page (LPAGE) of spooler 302 of notice in above-mentioned steps 508.Here, if the printing end notification of a logical page (LPAGE) then enters step 605, storage is to the logical page (LPAGE) information at this logical page (LPAGE).And in the step 606 that continues, at spooking n logical page (LPAGE) that this is through with constantly, spool file manager 304 is judged could begin the printing of 1 Physical Page.Here, under printable situation, enterstep 607, by the logical number decision Physical Page sequence number that 1 Physical Page printing is distributed.

About the calculating of Physical Page, for example setting in processing is that first Physical Page can be printed by the spooking moment at the 4th logical page (LPAGE), becomes first Physical Page under the situation of the setting of 4 logical page (LPAGE)s of configuration on 1 Physical Page.Then, second Physical Page can be printed by the spooking moment at the 8th logical page (LPAGE).In addition, the sum of logic number of pages can not be the multiple of the logic number of pages that disposes on 1 Physical Page, can be determined the logical page (LPAGE) that disposes on 1 Physical Page by the spooler end notification in the step 512.

Then, instep 608, the information that constitutes the logical page (LPAGE) sequence number of printable Physical Page and this Physical Page sequence number etc. is saved in operation output with enactment document (file that comprises the physics page information).The preservation form as shown in Figure 9.The advisory that Physical Page information is added 1 physical page size is to the spool program 305 of extracting.Afterwards, return step 601, wait for next notice.In the present embodiment, even constituting 1 page of print data, promptly the logical page (LPAGE) of 1 Physical Page is by the spooking moment, and the spool of print job is not all over, and can print processing yet.

On the other hand, in step 604, when progress notice is not printing end notification from a logical page (LPAGE) of spooler 302, enter step 609, spool file manager 304 takes a decision as to whether the end of job notice from spooler 302 of notice in above-mentioned steps 512.Here, if end of job notice then enters above-mentioned steps 606.On the other hand, when being not end of job when notice, enter step 610, spool file manager 304 judges that whether the notice that receives is from the extract printing end notification of 1 Physical Page of program 305 of spool.Here, when being the printing end notification of 1 Physical Page, enter step 612, judge whether the processing that processing is set has been all over.Under the situation that processing finishes, enter step 612, finish to spool program 305 notifier processes of extracting.On the other hand, being judged to be under the still unclosed situation of processing that processing is set, enter above-mentioned steps 606.The spool of the present embodiment program 305 of extracting is assumed to the unit that prints processing with 1 number of physical pages.In step 608, the information that to carry out the print processing needs of 1 Physical Page is saved in the file one by one, be recycling form, but under situation about no longer utilizing, also can use the high speed medium of common storage etc., carry out the installation that writes one by one by 1 Physical Page unit, become the installation form of the speed of can saving and resource.In addition, when comparing with the extract progress of program of spool, under the fast situation of spooler, begin after perhaps all the spool of page or leaf finishes under the situation that spool extracts, in step 608, can print not according to each Physical Page notice page or leaf, but according to the extract progress of program side of spool, make a plurality of Physical Page or all Physical Page can print such content of announcement, can save the notice number of times.

In step 610, judge when notice is not a printing end notification for 1 Physical Page of the program 305 of extracting from spool that enter step 613, spool file manager 304 takes a decision as to whether from the extract printing end notification of program 305 of spool.When being judged to be notice is when extracting the printing end notification of program 305 from spool, to enter step 614, and spool file manager 304 finishes the page or leaf of the correspondence of deletion spool files 303 and describes file process.On the other hand,, carry out other common processing, wait for next notice when being not when extracting the printing end notification of program 305 from spool, enters step 615.

The output of spool file

Fig. 6 is the extract flow chart of details of the print data generative process in the program 305 of expression spool.

Spool is extracted program 305 according to the printing request from spool file manager 304, reads necessary information (page or leaf is described file and operation enactment document) from spool file 303, generates print data.About the print data that generates carrying method, as described in Figure 3 to printer.Print data is PDL, also as previously mentioned.

In the generation of print data, at first, input is from the notice of above-mentioned spool file manager 304 in step 701.In the step of following 702, extract program 305 of spool judges whether the notice of input is the end notification of operation, if end of job notice then entersstep 703, end mark is set, and enters step 705.On the other hand,, enterstep 704 instep 702, judge that the printing of 1 Physical Page whether having notified above-mentionedsteps 608 begins requirement if be not end of job when notice.When instep 704, not being judged to be when beginning requirement, enterstep 710, carry out other fault processing, return in thestep 701, wait for next notice.

On the other hand, when the printing that is judged to be 1 Physical Page instep 704 begins requirement, enterstep 705, the spool program 305 of extracting is kept at the ID of the Physical Page of the printable processing that has received notice in the step 704.In the step of following 706, whether the extract whole pages of judgements of the Physical Page ID that 305 pairs of programs preserve instep 705 of spool finish print processing.Here, when the finishing dealing with of whole Physical Page, enterstep 707, judge whether set end mark in above-mentioned steps 703.Setting up under the situation of end mark, be considered as finishing the printing of operation, to the processing end notification that spool file manager 304 notifies spools to extract program 305, end process.When instep 707, being judged to be when not setting up end mark, returnstep 701, wait for next notice.

On the other hand, instep 706, be judged to be when remaining printable Physical Page, enterstep 708, the spool program 305 of extracting is read untreated Physical Page ID successively from the Physical Page ID that preserves, needed information during the print data of the Physical Page ID corresponding physical page or leaf that reads in and read generates prints processing.Print processing requires the print command of storage in the spool file 303 to be transformed in spool is extracted program 305 can be by graphics engine 202 discernible forms (GDI function), and transmit.About present embodiment is this that the processing of a plurality of logical page (LPAGE) layouts on 1 Physical Page is set (below cry the printing of N page or leaf), in this step, can consider to dwindle configuration, carry out conversion.

If necessary print processing finishes, and then the spool program 305 of extracting is notified the print data of 1 Physical Page to generate to spool file manager 304 in the step of following 709 to finish.And return in thestep 706, repeated treatments has been carried out print processing all up to the printable Physical Page ID that preserves instep 705 again.

More than be to use the extract flow process of print processing of program 305 of scheduler program 301, spooler 302, spool file manager 304, spool.As mentioned above, by handling, spooler 302 generates intermediate code, by the timing that is stored in the spool file 303 application program 201 is decontroled from print processing, therefore, can be than to printer driver 203 direct output printing datas end process in the shorter time.The temporary transient intermediate file of preserving according to the print setting of printer driver (page or leaf is described file, operation enactment document) in spool file 303, therefore the actual Print Preview that will print can be come out by User Recognition.In addition,, can carry out the combination or the replacement of the print job that generates by a plurality of application programs, when the change that prints setting, also need not open application program once more and print and just can carry out by keeping intermediate file.

Here, in the print processing of use spooler 302, when graphics engine 202 being had the request of printing, generate operation output enactment document, but under the situation of carrying out preview, operation combination etc., also can generate operation output enactment document.Enactment document is used in operation output, and is same with the operation enactment document under the situation of single operation, under the situation in conjunction with operation, generates according to a plurality of operation set informations.Here, operation output enactment document is described.

The operation output structure of enactment document

Fig. 9 is illustrated in the example of the operation output of the information of preserving the printable Physical Page that constitutes 304 generations of spool file manager in thestep 608 withenactment document.Field 1001 is the ID that are used to discern operation, can keep by the such form of filename, the common storage title of this information ofpreserving.Field 1002 is operation set informations.In the operation set information, comprise the information that reprocessing appointment etc. that appointment that the interpolation of appointment that needed structure, N page or leaf print, margin frame etc. describes, umber, cord etc. are printed in graphics engine 202 beginning operations only can be set 1 operation.In operation setinformation 1002, only preserve the necessary information of function of corresponding operation.Field 1003 is number of physical pages of operation, represents that this field preserves the Physical Page information of this digital quantity later on.In the present embodiment, owing to be the mode of notifying printable number of physical pages, therefore this field can not moved yet.Fromfield 1004 to the end, only store Physical Page information that the number offield 1003 carry out thereafter.About Physical Page information, illustrate with Figure 12.

Figure 10 is the figure that is illustrated in an example of the operation set information shown in the field 1002 of Fig. 9.Field 1101 is whole number of physical pages.Field 1102 is whole logic numbers of pages.Field 1101 and 1102 is used number of pages information etc. under as situations such as additional information print being appended to print data.When continuing to print, two fields are tentative value, and perhaps before end was printed, spool file manager 304 postponed the generation of the information of printable Physical Page.Field 1103 is to specify the umber information of printing several parts of these print jobs.Field 1104 is to set under the situation of many parts of printings the appointment of whether printing by part unit in field 1103.The bookbinding information that field 1105 is cord, punching, beat Z folding etc. has under the situation of attachment means designated in printer itself or outside.Field 1106 is an attaching print information, except shading of the present invention is printed, and the information additional of the additional information on the decoration of preservation margin frame etc., date etc., user name, number of pages, watermark printing etc. to operation.Along with the increase of function, the Field Count that this operation set information comprises also increases, but for example under the situation of duplex printing, appends the field of the appointment of preserving duplex printing.

Figure 11 is the figure that is illustrated in an example of the Physical Page information shown in thefield 1004 of Fig. 9.Initial field 1201 is Physical Page sequence numbers, is the management at page order, the value of using when appending printing Physical Page sequence number.Field 1202 is Physical Page set informations, can preserve layout, colored monochromatic setting by each Physical Page specified layout, when colour is monochromatic.Field 1203 is to distribute to the logic number of pages of this Physical Page, when distributing 4 logical page (LPAGE)s on 1 Physical Page, preserves 4 or represent the ID of 4 pages of printings.After field 1204, only preserve the information of logical page (LPAGE) of the number of field 1203 appointments.Owing to from the number of pages that application program 201 has been printed, compare with the number of pages of 1203 appointments sometimes, real page number can reduce according to number.In this case, the special data of preserving the expression blank page in logical page (LPAGE) information comes corresponding.

Figure 12 is the figure of the example of expression Physical Page set information 1202.Field 1301 is preserved the configuration sequence by the logical page (LPAGE) on Physical Page, by the N page or leaf be printed on configuration logic page or leaf on the Physical Page order (from upper left to the right, from upper left downwards) appointment.According to system sometimes not according to configuration sequence, not according to page or leaf sequence number order, but coming the later logical page (LPAGE) sequence of information of configuration field 1204 corresponding to the order of configuration sequence, thereby substitute 1301setting.Field 1302 is the positive and negative information of duplex printing, for example uses when white in that tow sides alignment bookbinding is surplus.Field 1303 is the color page or the appointment of monochromatic page, when printer has monochromatic mode and color mode, is in the file of mixed colors page or leaf and monochromatic page, prints the value of using under the situation such as monochromatic page with color mode printing color page or leaf, withmonochromatic mode.Field 1304 is an attaching print information, uses to the additional information on Physical Page number of print pages, date etc. the time.The Physical Page set information also appends field according to systemic-function.

Under the situation of present embodiment, it is the information additional to Physical Page that the shading image of Figure 15 explanation is later on printed, therefore according to the information of printing about the shading that keeps in the field shown in Figure 10 1106,, also be stored in thefield 1304 as set information to each Physical Page.Storage is described in Figure 14 in the back about an example of the data mode of set information that the shadings in the attaching print information 1106 of operation and the attachingprint information 1304 are printed.

Figure 13 is the figure of an example of the logical page (LPAGE) information shown in the expression field 1204.Field 1401 is ID of logical page (LPAGE), utilizes this ID, describes the intermediate code of file with reference to the page or leaf corresponding with logical page (LPAGE) from spool file 303.As long as utilize the intermediate code of the addressable logical page (LPAGE) of this ID, can be file, memory pointer, also can be the intermediate code itself that constitutes logical page (LPAGE).Field 1402 is used for the logical page (LPAGE) sequence number, uses under the situation that the logical page (LPAGE) sequence number is printed as additional information, or is used as the supplementary of logical page (LPAGE) ID.Preserving in the format information of field 1403 can be by the various setting item of logical page (LPAGE) unit's appointment.For example, preserve the information of the various settings of pressing the appointment of logical page (LPAGE) unit of the attaching print information, convergent-divergent rate etc. of margin frame etc.In addition, if desired, also can preserve the attribute information to logical page (LPAGE) of the colored monochrome information etc. of logical page (LPAGE) unit.On the contrary, in the system of the attribute information that does not need to cut setting, logical page (LPAGE) unit, do not need field 1403 by logical page (LPAGE) unit.

Operation output constitutes as mentioned above with enactment document.The operation enactment document is also roughly same, as operation, have printing subject matter (single face, two-sided, binding printed), printing layout (Nup, postcard are printed), additional information (shading type information, watermark, date, user name etc.), umber, use paper size information, by each Physical Page, still be that the back side, color mode etc. constitute by the configuration sequence of logical page (LPAGE), the front of duplex printing.

And Fig. 3 is illustrated in outside the expanding system of explanation so far, and also configuration has the example that the setting change editing machine 307 of change function is set in operation.Setting change editing machine 307 is the editing machines that can change above-mentioned operation enactment document or operation output usefulness enactment document by conversational mode.Setting change editing machine 307 does not have direct relation with the present invention, omits explanation.

The shading image print data generates the explanation of handling

One embodiment of the present of invention relate to the user and select the watermark printing of shading image or the structure of overstriking arbitrarily.Specifically, select one of watermark printing or overstriking by the user interface of user, determine the final overlapping order of the data (master copy data) of shading image data and printout image through having the Dan Xuan that is used to select watermark printing or overstriking (radio)button 2210 as shown in figure 16.And, in view of the above, carry out in the watermark printing of the shading image of Figure 17 explanation or at the overstriking of the shading image of Figure 18 explanation.The particular content of back explanation watermark printing or overstriking.

Figure 15 is to Figure 16 A, and Figure 16 B is the figure of an example of the expression user interface of carrying out the setting of printing about shading image.

Figure 15 is an example of the initial picture of the user interface of printing about shading of configuration in printer driver 203.In this example, carry out the setting of printing in the property pages in dialog box (sheet) 2102 about shading.

The 2102nd, whether specify the check box that shading is printed (comprise the printing of shading image, below identical) is carried out in print job.The setting whether these attaching print information 1106 interior conducts that specify in Figure 10 carry out the shading printing is stored.2103 expressions are used for the feasible style information that can be specified a plurality of set informations of shading printing by 1 identifier (pattern).Printer driver 203 an optional majority pattern, the relation login of each pattern and shading type information shown in Figure 14 is in register.Pattern editor shown in user'spress push button 2104 displayed map 16A uses dialog box 2201.The 2105th, the check box that uses when the prospect that the adjustment shading is printed, the contrast of background.The user presses the button the picture (not shown) of 2106 demonstration contrast adjustment usefulness.

Figure 16 A is the figure of the example of each dialog box of setting in detail of printing of expression editor's shading.

Among this figure, the whole shading image information editing of 2201 expressions uses dialog box, shows the result of the shading image that each shading image information described later generates in this zone for preview.The 2202nd, showing can be by the zone of the guide look of 2103 patterns of selecting of Figure 15.The user usesbutton 2203 and 2204 can newly append, delete pattern.2205 expressions show the zone of the pattern title of current appointment.

The 2206th, the radio button of the kind of the rendered object that the selection shading uses in printing.When the user operates thisradio button 2206 and selects " character string ", use text object, when selecting " image ", use the view data as representative with BMP etc.In Figure 16 A and Figure 16 B, owing to selected " character string ", show the set information of representing fromsymbol 2207 to 2209 grades in thedialog box 2201 about text object, can edit.On the other hand, select under the situation of " image " in regional 2206,display message 2207 to 2209, substitute it, imagefile name demonstration 2215 shown in the displayed map 16B and thebutton 2216 that is used to show unshowned file selection dialog box.

2207 expressions are used to show the zone of editor as the character string of shading image use.2208 expressions are used to show the zone of the font information of editing character string.In the present embodiment, only show the selection picture of font name, but also can expand to the series information (runic, italic etc.) that to select font, dingbat information etc.The 2209th, be used for the zone of display setting as the font size of the character string of burelage use.In the present embodiment, supposed can by " greatly ", " in ", the form of 3 stage appointments of " little ", but also can adopt the general font size designation methods that use such as direct input of point value.The 2210th, be used to set the radio button of the page order of burelage and master copy data.Under the situation of specifying " watermark printing ", after describing shading image at first on the bit image memory of printer, this shading image is carried out overwrite describe master copy data like that.On the other hand, after specifying under the situation of " overstriking ", describing master copy data at first, this master copy data is carried out overwrite describe shading image like that.The concrete processing of describing illustrates in the back.

The radio button of the arrangement angles of burelage is specified in 2211 expressions.In the present embodiment, can select " upper right ", " bottom right ", " about " 3, but but the numerical value input area intuition sensation ground that also can dispose specified angle arbitrarily comes the sliding bar of appointment etc., come the expanded-angle designation method.2212 are used for the zone that expression shows the look of specifying burelage (prospect pattern, background patterns) use.2213 are used to represent to change the check box of prospect pattern, background patterns.When check box is selected, appear the prospect pattern during duplicating in the copy in one's mind.On the other hand, appear in one's mind out with background patterns when duplicating under unchecked situation, the mode that the prospect pattern displays with showing money or valuables one carries unintentionally prints.

2214 expressions are specified and to be used for making and the zone of the camouflage image that is difficult to discern the burelage that original copy imbeds can to select from a plurality of patterns.Also provide and do not use camouflage figure options like this.

The data mode of shading print setting information

Then use the data mode of being stored in theadditional information 1106 and 1304 that illustrates among Figure 14 key diagram 16A and Figure 16 B about shading print setting information.

In the figure, field 2001 storage representations are printed the value of the rendered object kind (textual form or image) that generates byzone 2206 appointments of Figure 16 A with shading.Thezone 2207～2209 of field 2002 storage map 16A or Figure 16 B appointment to the set information with the specified rendered object of the information of field 2001.Store character string, fontname, size information when text selecting, the position of the image file of storage input when image is selected.Field 2003 storage is byzone 2210 appointments of Figure 16 A, specify relative master copy data be describe earlier or after describe the information of burelage (describing order).The angle information of the configuration rendered object ofzone 2211 appointments of field 2004 storage map 16A.The look information of in burelage (prospect pattern, background patterns), using ofzone 2212 appointments of field 2005 storage map 16A.The information of whether changing prospect pattern, background patterns ofcheck box 2213 appointments of field 2006 storage map 16A.The pattern additional information of the camouflage image ofzone 2214 appointments of field 2007 storage map 16A.The concentration information of field 2008 storage prospect patterns.The concentration information of field 2009 storage background patterns.

The print data of shading image generates to be handled

Figure 17 and Figure 18 are the flow charts that the print data of the shading image during the expression shading is printed generates the flow process of handling.These figure correspond respectively to each " watermark printing " and " overstriking " of Figure 16 A explanation.These handle the print processing in thestep 708 of Fig. 6, i.e. carry out in the process that the generation of print data is handled.

At first, use the flowchart text " watermark printing " of Figure 17, promptly generate the situation of the print data of shading image earlier.As mentioned above, " watermark printing " is the processing that launches master copy data in the bit image memory of printer on the shading image data.Therefore, the genesis sequence of print data is the print data that generated shading image before the print data that generates corresponding master copy data.

In the step 1901,, carry out the generation of shading image by shading generating unit 205 according to the information about shading shown in Figure 14.Its concrete processing illustrates in the back with Figure 19.Afterwards, the print data generation of carrying out master copy data is handled.Count initialized device in the step 1902.Judge in thestep 1903 whether counter is the logic number of pages of predefined per 1 Physical Page, equals the logic number of pages if become, and then finishes this processing.If it is unequal then enter in the step 1904.In thestep 1904 counter is increased by 1.According to per 1 page logic number of pages sum counter, calculate effective print area in thestep 1905 to the logical page (LPAGE) that will carry out these print datas generation processing.In the step 1906, be index with the counter, the information about Physical Page that sends a notice according to the such form of Figure 11 reads current logical page (LPAGE) sequence number, this logical page (LPAGE) is dwindled it is contained in effective print area.But, under the situation of not specifying the N page or leaf to print, do not need certainly to dwindle.

Then use the flowchart text " overstriking " of Figure 18, promptly generate the situation of the print data of master copy data earlier.As mentioned above, " overstriking " is the processing that launches shading image in the bit image memory of printer on master copy data.Therefore, the genesis sequence of print data is the print data that generated before generating corresponding to the print data of shading image corresponding to master copy data.

In thestep 1902, the count initialized device.Then judge instep 1903 whether counter is the logic number of pages of predefined per 1 Physical Page, if equal the logic number of pages, enters step 1908, if unequal then enter in the step 1904.In thestep 1904 counter is increased by 1.According to per 1 page logic number of pages sum counter, calculate effective print area in thestep 1905 to the logical page (LPAGE) that will generate.In the step 1906, be index with the counter, the information about Physical Page that sends a notice according to the such form of Figure 11 reads current logical page (LPAGE) sequence number, this logical page (LPAGE) is dwindled it is contained in effective print area.But, under the situation of specifying the N page or leaf to print, do not need certainly to dwindle.Be through with after the generation of the print data corresponding as 1 Physical Page, enter in the step 1908 with the logical page (LPAGE) of predetermined number.In step 1908,, and, generate shading images by shading generating unit 205 based on the information about shading shown in Figure 14 according to effective print area of the Physical Page of obtaining from the program of answering.About its detailed process, illustrate in the back with Figure 19.

Figure 19 is that the shading image shown in Figure 17 of expression one embodiment of the present of invention generates and handles and the shading image of step 1908 shown in Figure 180 generates the flow chart of the details of processing.The generation that shading image is described below with reference to Figure 19 is handled.

At first, begin shading image at step S2701 and generate processing.Specifically, shading image generation indication and above-mentioned shading print setting information are input in the shading generating unit 205.Then shading generating unit 205 is read in background threshold pattern, prospect threshold value pattern, base image, camouflage image in step S2702.In addition, base image is the view data that becomes the basis that is used to generate shading image.This is based on various set informations shown in Figure 14 by the spool image that program 305 generates of extracting.

In addition, in step S2703, the initial pixel when 205 decisions of shading generating unit generate shading image.For example, A4 is being generated under the situation of shading image upper left with printable area as initial position from carrying out image processing by the grid scanning sequency left to bottom right with the whole printable area of paper.At this moment, printable area and shading image zone equates.

Then in S2704, shading generating unit 205 is by carrying out upper left beginning tile ground (tiling) configuration background threshold pattern, prospect threshold value pattern, base image, the camouflage treatment of picture from the shading image zone based on the calculating of following formula (1).Calculate by this, judge the some corresponding pixel value when on this location of pixels, whether writing and printing.At this moment, pixel value is corresponding to the look information of being imported.In addition, here, background threshold pattern and prospect threshold value pattern are the view data that is made of " 1 " that writes/do not write and " 0 " corresponding to point, and these images are the data of having carried out 2 values by the dither matrix separately that is suitable for making prospect (sub-image) image and background image.

NWriteDotOn=nCamouflage * (the formula (1) of nSmallDotOn *  nHiddenMark+nLargeDotOn * nHiddenMark)

The inscape of following expression (1).

NCamouflage: in the camouflage image,, otherwise be 1 if object pixel is to constitute the pixel of camouflage pattern then be 0.

NSmallDotOn: if the pixel value of background threshold pattern is Bai Zewei 0 (look is not limited to this) for black then be 1.

NLargeDotOn: if the pixel value of prospect threshold value pattern is Bai Zewei 0 (look is not limited to this) for black then be 1.

NHiddenMark: in base image, if object pixel is the pixel that constitutes the sub-image image, then being 1, then is 0 if constitute the pixel of background image.

 nHiddenMark: be the negative of nHiddenMark.Be 0 in foreground portion, be 1 in the background portion.

Managing does not throughout need the whole of use formula (1) usually to carry out in the object pixel.By omitting the high speed that unwanted calculating can realize processing.

For example, if nHiddenMark=1, if  nHiddenMark=0 then is nHiddenMark=0, then  nHiddenMark=1.Therefore, if nHiddenMark=1, then with the value of following formula (2) value as nlargeDotOn, if nHiddenMark=0, then with the value of formula (2) value as nSmallDotOn.

As the formula (1), the value of nCamouflage is the phase multiplication to integral body, if nCamouflage=0, then nWriteDotOn=0.Therefore, under the situation of nCamouflage=0, can omit the calculating of following formula (2).

(nSmallDotOn×nHiddenMark+nLargeDotOn×nHiddenMark)

Formula (2)

In the shading image that generates, because the image of the size of the least common multiple of the length in length and breadth of background threshold pattern, prospect threshold value pattern, base image, camouflage image is a least unit repeatedly, only generate the part of the shading image of conduct least unit repeatedly in the shading handling part 205, when the part of this shading image is arranged repeatedly by the big or small tile ground in shading image zone, can shorten shading image and generate the shared processing time.

Follow in step S2705 the result of calculation of CPU1 determination step S2704 (value of nWriteDotOn).That is, if nWriteDotOn=1 enters step S2706, if nWriteDotOn=0 then enters step S2707.

The processing of the pixel value of the point when in step S2706, writing corresponding to printing.Here pixel value can change according to the look of shading image.In addition, set the shading image that also can make colour by the toner of suitable printer or the look of ink.In addition, also can utilize the toner that made up polychrome or the secondary look of ink.

In step S2707, judge and whether handled whole pixels in process object zone.When being untreated whole pixel in process object zone, enter step S2708, select untreated pixel, once more the processing of execution in step S2704～S2706.

Adopt this embodiment, the user can according to the white space that has or not master copy data and by white image be coated with full zone, the decisions such as application program that generate master copy data are watermark printing or overstriking.Its result can make about shading and print the more easy-to-use information processor of user.

In addition, carry out inprinter 1500 as the processing of synthetic shading image data of bitmap images and original image data.In the synthetic processing of printer, under the situation of having set overstriking, at first, the original image data are deployed on the bit image memory, then, carry out rasterizing and launch to make shading image data overwrite on the original image data.At this moment, when overwrite shading image data simply, just can't see original image.Therefore, under the situation that overstriking is set, avoid the complete overwrite original image of shading image by utilizing the such logical depiction of AND/OR.For example, carry out following such processing, be to be equivalent under the situation of white value promptly in the pixel of launching the bitmap images that the original image data obtain, shading image data overwrite that will be corresponding with this pixel is to the bit image memory suitable with this location of pixels, for the pixel with white value in addition, not overwrite shading image data.

The following describes several embodiment based on the structure of the printing shading image of the system of above explanation.

(first embodiment)

Figure 20 is the figure that the shading image of the explanation first embodiment of the present invention is printed, and relates to the printing of the shading image in the so-called N-up printing.

Example shown in Figure 20 represents to carry out the situation that the N-up of N=4 prints, do not constitute shading image is printed in 4 print areas (below it being called the logical page (LPAGE) configuring area) of print paper (print media), and the blank parts outside these print areas is carried out.

Specifically, the printable area (Physical Page) of the print paper when the N-up printing is carried out in 5201 expressions, 5211,5212,5213,5214 represent the page or leaf configuring area (logical page (LPAGE) configuring area) as the print area of being stipulated by print application respectively.When the setting of this N-up printing is arranged in operation enactment document (SDF), the spool program 305 (Fig. 3) of extracting, send indication to image engine, in each zone that this is cut apart, dwindle and print movably by each page or leaf that dwindles application program distribution to cut apart Physical Page.

And, only in this Physical Page, do not belong to the zone of any logical page (LPAGE) configuring area, i.e. print shading image in thezone 5220 of grey colour specification among Figure 20.

Figure 21 is the flow chart of expression about the processing of shading printing shown in Figure 20.As shown in the drawing, this processing to the basic structure of " watermark printing " shown in Figure 17 after the calculating " to effective print area of logical page (LPAGE) configuring area " of step S1905, the logical page (LPAGE) configuring area is made the processing of effective print area blanking at step S1910, promptly, the pixel value that generates above-mentioned zone be zero describe data after, describing in step S1906 carries out the logical page (LPAGE) configuring area.That is, in step S1910, delete the processing that is arranged in the burelage data of describing at step S1901 in the logical page (LPAGE) configuringarea 5211,5212,5213,5214.Then, print describing of output image at step S1906 described later in these zones.As its result, only be printed in thewhite space 5220 in the shading image printing that step S1901 describes.Though in Figure 17, represented the example of " watermark printing ", the example of having represented " overstriking " among Figure 18, but present embodiment is not printed other objects in thezone 5220 of printing shading image, therefore can carry out above-mentioned same processing in " watermark printing " and " overstriking ".

In the present embodiment, stipulated like that as mentioned above explanation to the logical page (LPAGE) data of logical page (LPAGE) configuring area describe with the deletion of shading image regularly, but the present invention can't help such handling process to be limited, and finally only forms shading image as long as be controlled to be on white space.

As mentioned above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, under the situation that N-up prints, utilize to produce blankly, and by printing shading image in this blank space, what the image of no matter printing is, all can with on the position of its interference not print burelage.Even and the result is that concentration at the concentration of shading image and printout image also can be discerned the printout image when close well, can prevent from simultaneously to make its quality reduce because shading is printed.Because the image of printing is reduced image, therefore just be difficult to the identification of vision ground originally on above-mentioned logical page (LPAGE).Like this, by printing shading image in the zone in addition, can prevent to make the image that was difficult to recognize originally to be difficult to more observe.

(second embodiment)

The second embodiment of the present invention is under the situation of carrying out the such printing with a plurality of logical page (LPAGE) configuring areas and white space in addition of above-mentioned N-up printing, also carry out shading at the logical page (LPAGE) configuring area and print, but be and the different shading image of printing at white space of shading image.That is, make the shading image of printing at the logical page (LPAGE) configuring area, different with its character of shading image of printing at white space, pattern etc. and become different shading images, thus make it possible to identify image in this logical page (LPAGE) configuring area printout.

Concrete structure is the user interface shown in change Figure 16 A and Figure 16 B, keeps respectively the shading of Physical Page is set and the shading of logical page (LPAGE) configuring area is set in the data structure that shading shown in Figure 14 is printed.Thus, can carry out the printing of different shadings respectively in the above-mentioned white space in Physical Page and the logical page (LPAGE) configuring area.

Figure 22 is the flow chart that the processing of the present embodiment under the situation of " overstriking " is specified in expression.With respect to the processing shown in Figure 21 as the front, difference is carried out describing the burelage of logical page (LPAGE) configuring area in step S1906 " logical page (LPAGE) is described " back at step S1907.

In addition, the processing of the present embodiment under the situation of specifying " watermark printing " is as described below.The difference of this processing and processing shown in Figure 21 be in step S1910 behind logical page (LPAGE) configuring area deletion shading image, carry out the describing of data (pixel value be zero) shading image in addition of the blanking different with white space at the logical page (LPAGE) configuring area, afterwards, in step S1906, carry out describing of logical page (LPAGE) configuring area.

As mentioned above, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, even if when the concentration of the concentration of shading image and printout image is close, also can discern the printout image well, and by also in the logical page (LPAGE) configuring area, printing shading image, print shading image at whole Physical Page, therefore with by not forming the situation that shading image reaches first embodiment of purpose of the present invention, compare, can generate the further impression of printout integral body and the printout of aesthetic feeling of having improved at the logical page (LPAGE) configuring area.

In the present embodiment, as mentioned above, stipulated to the logical page (LPAGE) data of logical page (LPAGE) configuring area describe regularly be illustrated with the deletion of shading image, but the present invention is not limited to this handling process, forms different shading images respectively as long as be controlled to be finally on white space and logical page (LPAGE) configuring area.

(the 3rd embodiment)

The third embodiment of the present invention relates to carries out concentration correction and makes the concentration of printout image exceed the structure of at least one definite value with respect to the concentration of shading image.Specifically, be predetermined the concentration range that is not used in printing according to the concentration of the concentration of the sub-image image in the shading, background image and the concentration nargin of setting according to type in addition etc., detection is from the concentration of each print object of application program indication, print the concentration correction of image, make it can not overlap on the above-mentioned concentration range that is not used in printing that determines.

Figure 23 A and 23B are the figure of an example of this concentration correction of explanation.

The concentration of sub-image image is identical concentration with the concentration of background image in theory, but in fact owing to characteristic, the state of print out equipment, it may not be consistent.Shown in Figure 23 A and 23B, in illustrated embodiment, the concentration (Df) of sub-image image (prospect pattern) is 23, the concentration (Db) of background image (background patterns) is 20.Different therewith, for improving at least certain value, the concentration with printout image (print object) sets concentration nargin (Dm).This value is 13 in illustrated embodiment.In addition, owing to this concentration nargin along with factors such as the type of output equipment, state change, therefore can make its difference to each equipment, even if perhaps equipment is identical, whenever also make its difference through certain hour.

And by setting concentration nargin, the Cmax of obsolete concentration range (Dx) is obtained by following formula in the printing:

Dx＝max(Df，Db)+Dm

Here, (Df Db) refers to Df to max, a big side's value among the Db.In illustrated embodiment, it is 36 that Dx obtains.And printout is by carrying out to the concentration of the scope between the Cmax (Dmax) at this Cmax (Dx).Specifically, carry out following concentration correction.

Concentration (D-in) according to the object of indicating from application program is obtained the concentration (D-out) that indication is printed by following formula.That is, in the relation that the straight line c shown in Figure 23 B represents, carry out the correction of " from the concentration of application program indication " by following formula.

D-out＝(Dmax-Dx)/Dmax×D-in+Dx

Concentration correction as implied above specifically can be implemented and is reflected in the printing by extract program 305 of spool.Certainly, also applicable for the image of proofreading and correct equally and outputing on the picture by previewer 306, setting change editing machine 307 etc.

In addition, when the concentration (D-in) of the object of indicating from application program is higher than the Cmax Dx that sets by above-mentioned concentration nargin, does not carry out above-mentioned correction, and print by original concentration.

According to above embodiment, because relative shading image, the image color of printout improves certain value at least, therefore can prevent that the concentration of shading image and print image is approaching, discerns print image easily.Also can prevent owing to reduce with the quality of shading image concentration near the fuzzy print image that waits of the image outline that causes.Under the situation of present embodiment, even if when the image of printing has tonal gradation, each concentration that also can proofread and correct print image according to following formula can be kept original tonal gradation thus substantially.

(another embodiment)

Also can be the embodiment of above-mentioned second embodiment of combination and the 3rd embodiment.That is, certainly the sub-image concentration and the background concn of the shading image printed are set above-mentioned concentration nargin on logical page (LPAGE).

Above-mentioned first and second embodiment print to example with so-called N-up and are described, but as mentioned above as can be known, also can adopt the present invention in the print form of printable area generation print area and its white space for example as simply dwindling printing.

(embodiment again)

The present invention is applicable to the system that is made of a plurality of equipment (for example master computer, interface equipment, reader, printout etc.), also applicable to the device that is made of 1 equipment (photocopier, printer, facsimile machine device etc.).

Purpose of the present invention also can be by will realizing the foregoing description function, realize that the procedure code of the order of the flow chart shown in each figure is stored in storage medium, read the procedure code that is stored in the storage medium and carry out and realize by the computer (or CPU, MPU) of system or device.

At this moment, the procedure code of reading from storage medium itself is realized the function of the above embodiments, and the storage medium of storing this procedure code promptly constitutes the present invention.

As the storage medium that is used to supply with procedure code, can use for example floppy disk (registered trade mark), hard disk, CD, photomagneto disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, tape, Nonvolatile memory card, ROM etc.

Also comprise following situation: carry out the procedure code of reading by computer, not only realize the function of the foregoing description, according to the indication of this procedure code, also, handle the function that realizes the foregoing description by this by execution actual treatment such as the OS that turns round on the computer (operating system) part or all.

In addition, also comprise following situation: behind the memory that the functional expansion unit that the procedure code of reading from storage medium writes the function expansion card that is inserted in computer, be connected in computer is equipped, indication according to this procedure code, by execution actual treatment such as the CPU that equips on this function expansion card, the functional expansion unit part or all, handle the function that realizes the foregoing description by this.

Specifically described the present invention with reference to preferred embodiment, to those skilled in the art, from describing, the front obviously is appreciated that, at it more in a broad sense, do not deviate under the situation of the present invention, can carry out various changes and distortion, therefore be intended to cover all these changes and distortion by accompanying Claim, it falls under the true spirit of the present invention equally.

Claims (4)

1. information processor, have first image that generates printout and the print data generation unit that comprises second image of sub-image image and background image, wherein, above-mentioned print data generation unit changes the concentration value of above-mentioned first image according to the Cmax value of above-mentioned second image, make it be in the concentration range that is higher than the least concentration value, above-mentioned least concentration value is the concentration value that exceeds predetermined value than above-mentioned Cmax value, and generates print data.

2. information processor according to claim 1 is characterized in that, above-mentioned print data generation unit when above-mentioned first image has the concentration value that is lower than above-mentioned least concentration value, is proofreaied and correct the concentration value of this first image.

3. information processing method, print data with first image that generates printout and second image that comprises sub-image image and background image generates step, wherein, above-mentioned print data generates step changes above-mentioned first image according to the Cmax value of above-mentioned second image concentration value, make it be in the concentration range that is higher than the least concentration value, above-mentioned least concentration value is the concentration value that exceeds predetermined value than above-mentioned Cmax value, and generates print data.

4. information processing method according to claim 3 is characterized in that, above-mentioned print data generates step, when above-mentioned first image has the concentration value that is lower than above-mentioned least concentration value, proofreaies and correct the concentration value of this first image.

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